Resilient and shock absorbing element arrangeable in or adjacent to a shoe

ABSTRACT

A resilient and shock absorbing element ( 1 ) which may be arranged in or adjacent to a shoe ( 2 ) includes first magnets ( 3 ) having a first fixing element ( 4 ) for fixing the first magnets ( 3 ) to a first part ( 5 ) of the shoe ( 2 ). Second magnets ( 6 ) include a second fixing element ( 8 ) for fixing the second magnets ( 6 ) to a second part ( 7 ) of the shoe ( 2 ) or in an area adjacent to the shoe ( 2 ). At least one first magnet ( 3 ) is displaceable in relation to at least one second magnet ( 6 ). The first magnets ( 3 ) and the second magnets ( 6 ) are arranged according to a Halbach array.

The present invention relates to an resilient and shock absorbing element arrangeable in or adjacent to a shoe, said element comprising first magnets including a first fixing element for fixing said first magnets in a first part of the shoe, second magnets including a second fixing element for fixing the second magnets in a second part of the shoe or adjacent to the shoe, at least one first magnet being displaceable in relation to at least one second magnet.

Resilient and shock absorbing elements in shoes work based on the principle that two individual magnets with the same polarity repel each other if they come close enough to one another. According to the state of the art, the repulsion force depends on the distance between the first and second magnets.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,694,440B1 discloses a resilient and shock absorbing element which comprises two magnets for one shoe. Contrary to the invention disclosed below, the individual magnets are not arranged according to the Halbach array.

US20100011616 also describes the use of a magnet which comprises individual magnets as resilient and shock absorbing element of a shoe. In US20100011616 there is no evidence of a special arrangement of the individual magnets according to the Halbach array, either.

The invention discussed below is intended to use magnets as a resilient and shock absorbing element in a shoe, the effect of the magnets being used in an optimized way by arranging them in a specific order to minimize the number of required magnets.

According to the state of the art, magnets are quite heavy, which constitutes an obstacle to using them within a shoe, particularly a sports shoe.

If magnets are placed in a shoe, it may happen that metallic items lying on the ground, for example, are attracted by the magnet in the shoe.

The invention disclosed below overcomes these disadvantages.

A resilient and shock absorbing element of the invention is characterized in that the first magnets and the second magnets are arranged according to the principle of a Halbach array.

The arrangement of individual magnets of a first magnet and a second magnet is described in J. E. Hilton, S. M. McMurry, An adjustable linear Halbach array, Journal of magnetism and magnetic Materials, 324 (2012), 2051-2056, for example. Reference is also made to K. Halbach, Design of permanent multipole magnets with oriented rare earth cobalt material, Nuclear instruments and methods, 169 (1980), 1-10 and J. C. Mallinson, One-side fluxes—a magnetic curiosity?, IEEE transactions on magnetics, Vol. mag-9, No. 4, December 1973. Arranging magnets in a Halbach array results in the magnetic field being concentrated between the first and second magnets. This is advantageous for solving the invention's task, as the number of first magnets and second magnets can be reduced compared to devices according to the state of the art. By concentrating the magnetic fields, the disadvantage of attracting metallic items to the magnets placed in the shoe can be overcome. According to the disclosure of the present invention, concentrating the magnetic fields means refers to the creation of an area with an increased magnetic flux (inside the shoe sole) and another area with an attenuated magnetic flux (external area of the shoe sole).

The arrangement of the magnets according to a Halbach array has a positive effect on the repulsion force between the first magnet and the second magnet, as the magnetic field is concentrated

The element of the invention may be structured in a way that one first magnet and one second magnet are arranged on an axis which extends essentially in parallel to a load axis of a partial load. The first magnet and the second magnet are preferably oriented perpendicular to the axis.

Such a structure is particularly advantageous for uniform loads and the resulting direction of the loads.

The surfaces of the first magnets and the surfaces of the second magnets may be polygonal and congruent, so that the first and second magnets are capable of generating repulsion forces in several directions, which depend on the magnets' surfaces, even if they are displaced in relation to one another.

The first magnets and the first fixing element and/or the second magnets and the second fixing element may be attached detachably to a shoe. The fixing elements may be attached to the shoe by fastening elements according to the state of the art, such as socket or screw connections.

The first fixing element and/or the second fixing element may also consist of an adhesive layer.

Advantageously, the resilient and shock absorbing element has a modular structure, so that a resilient and shock absorbing element replaced in a shoe may easily replace by another resilient and shock absorbing element by the wearer. The resilient and shock absorbing elements may, for example, be detachable fixed to the shoe using mechanical connecting methods according to the state of the art.

A part of the shoe in which the element of the invention is placed may, for example, be an insole.

The shoe may be a sports shoe, such as a running shoe, a ski boot or a cross-country ski boot.

The invention does not exclude that the first magnets are arranged in a first part of the shoe, while the second magnets are placed in an area adjacent to the shoe. The first magnets may, for example, be arranged in the sole area of a cross-country ski boot, while the second magnets are arranged in an area adjacent to the boot, such as the contact area of the binding on the ski. The exemplary area adjacent to the shoe is functionally associated with the shoe.

The element of the invention may also be arranged in a device for adjusting the shoe to a wearer's foot, such as a buckle of a ski boot. The tensioning force of the buckle may be limited by placing the element in the buckle.

One possible application of the element of the invention is characterized in that the first magnets are arranged in a first part of the sole, while the second magnets are arranged in a second part of the sole.

The element of the invention may be arranged in the sole area of a shoe to reduce and absorb both vertical and horizontal loads. Vertical forces may, for example, be caused by the wearer's own weight or the wearer's movements. Accelerations or decelerations of the wearer give rise to horizontal loads.

The task of the invention disclosed herein is to reduce the load wearers, and particularly their joints, are exposed to.

A shoe's shaft is widened by the wearer when the shoe is worn. This widening may, for example, be due to deformations of the foot or the rolling movement of the foot when walking. Another use of the element of the invention may be marked by arranging the first magnets in a first shaft part and the second magnets in a second shaft part of the shoe.

The first magnets and/or second magnets may include individual magnets having different field strengths. The different field strengths create zones within the element of the invention which have different resilience and shock absorbing characteristics.

The first and second magnets may comprise individual magnets having the same polarities.

The first and second magnets may comprise individual magnets having different polarities, an individual magnet of the first magnets and an individual magnet of the second magnets with opposite polarities being arranged opposite to each other.

The individual magnets need to be arranged in a way that individual magnets having the same polarity are arranged opposite to each other, so that the magnetic fields give rise to repulsion forces.

The first and second fixing elements may be arranged so that they are displaceable in relation to one another along a polygonal line of movement.

The first and the second fixing elements may be pivotable around a point or an axis in relation to one another.

The type of possible movements is to be chosen in relation to where the element of the invention is situated within the shoe. The possible movement of the first magnets in relation to the second magnets should be essentially parallel to the direction of load.

The movement of the first magnets in relation to the second magnets may—in combination with joints—be determined by guiding elements and/or a possible direction of deformation of the shoe. A possible direction of deformation of the shoe may be defined by certain characteristics of the materials used or a combination of materials. A possible direction of deformation of a shoe may, for example, be defined by combining a material which may be widened in all directions with a reinforcing element.

The element of the invention may be coupled to further resilient and shock absorbing elements. The further resilient and shock absorbing element may, for example, be made of a deformable material.

FIG. 1 illustrates the arrangement of the element of the invention in the heel area of a sole.

FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of the element of the invention in the front area of a sole.

In the figures, the following reference numerals refer to the following elements of the shoe:

1. resilient and shock absorbing element

2. shoe

3. first magnets

4. first fixing element

5. first part

6. second magnets

7. second fixing element

8. second part

9. axis

10. load axis

11. first area of the sole

12. second area of the sole

13. not defined

14. not defined

15. further elements

16. load

17. joint

FIG. 1 shows a shoe 2 with a resilient and shock absorbing element 1 of the invention comprising first magnets 3 and second magnets 6. The first magnets 3 are fixed to the fixing element 4, while the second magnets 6 are fixed to the second fixing element 7. The first magnets 3 are attached to the first part 5 of the shoe 2 by means of the first fixing element 4. Analogously, the second magnets 6 are attached to the second part 8 of the shoe 2 by means of the second fixing element 7.

As the element 1 of the invention is arranged in the heel area of the shoe 2, as can be seen in FIG. 1, the fixing elements 4, 7 are arranged in the first 11 and the second area 12 of the sole, respectively.

The fixing elements 4, 7 are arranged in the shoe 2 in a way that it is possible for the first magnets 3 to be displaced in relation to the second magnets 6, even if the shoe 2 is deformed. The fixing element 4, 7 are coupled to one another by a joint 17 at one edge, restricting the relative movement of the fixing elements 4, 7 in relation to one another essentially to a rotating movement.

The task of the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1 consists in reducing and absorbing a load 16 which acts on the shoe 2 via the heel. The load axis 10 and the axis 9 of a possible movement of the first magnets 3 in relation to the second magnets 6 are essentially parallel. In the illustrated case, the axis 9 extends tangentially to the possible rotating movement of the magnets 3, 6 in relation to each other.

The structure of the resilient and shock absorbing element 1 of the invention as illustrated in FIG. 1 is intended for a load 16 essentially along a (vertical) load axis 10. For this reason, the two surfaces of the magnets 3, 6 facing each other are flat.

Compared to the state of the art, the structure of the element 1 of the invention shown in FIG. 1 is marked by the first and second magnets 3, 6 being arranged according to the Halbach array. The arrangement of the magnets according to the Halbach array is illustrated in FIG. 2.

The first fixing element 4 and/or the second fixing element 8 are detachably attached to the shoe (2). The detachable connection is a screw or socket connection according to the state of the art, allowing for the element 1 of the invention to be easily replaced. By replacing the element 1, the wearer may adapt the resilience and shock absorbing characteristics of his shoe 1 to temporary requirements.

In addition to the element 1 of the invention, the shoe 2 comprises another resilient and shock absorbing element 15 which exerts influence in addition to the element 1 of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows the special arrangement of individual magnets of the first magnets 3 and/or the second magnets 6 according to the Halbach array (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halbach_array) depending on the magnetic field fluxes of the individual magnets. The arrangement shown in FIG. 2 relates to a special case in which the individual magnets are arranged in a row.

FIG. 3 shows a possible arrangement of the element 1 of the invention for a load 16 acting in a horizontal load direction 10. Such a load acting on the shoe 2 and the wearer is given rise to by the wearer decelerating or accelerating.

Like the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, the element 1 is situated in the sole area of the shoe 2. The first fixing element 4 is situated in a first area 11 of the sole, while the second fixing element 7 is situated in a second area 12 of the sole. The magnets 2, 6 may be displaced in relation to one another.

The surfaces of the magnets 2, 6 facing each other are flat. The surfaces of the magnets 2, 6 are oriented at angles of essentially 90° to the axis of movement 10 and the axis 9.

FIG. 4 shows a possible arrangement of the magnets 2, 6 in a first area 11 of the sole and a second area 12 of the sole, the surfaces of the magnets 2, 6 facing each other being polygonal and congruent. In the case illustrated in FIG. 4, the polygonal surfaces of the magnets 2, 6 are pyramid-shaped or triangular (in cross-section).

The polygonal shape of the magnets 2, 6 is due to the non-uniform load comprised of the load 16 and the load 16′ acting in different load directions 10, 10′. If the magnets 2, 6 shown in FIG. 4 are brought sufficiently close to each other, they generate repulsion forces in a direction depending on the shape and displacement of the magnets 2, 6 in relation to each other.

FIG. 5 shows another possible arrangement of the elements of the invention. The shoe 2 shown in FIG. 5 comprises further elements 15 as resilient and shock absorbing elements which are arranged in the area of the sole. Said further elements 15 comprise a hollow body, a first magnet 3 and a second magnet 6 being arranged in said hollow body. Said further element 15 serves as a first fixing element 4 for fixing the first magnets 3 in a first are 11 of the sole and as a second fixing element 7 for fixing the second magnets 6 in a second area 12 of the sole.

For a better understanding, FIG. 5 only shows a few elements 15. 

1.-12. (canceled)
 13. A resilient and shock absorbing element (1) which may be arranged in or adjacent to a shoe (2), comprising: first magnets (3) including a first fixing element (4) for fixing said first magnets (3) to a first part (5) of the shoe (2), second magnets (6) including a second fixing element (8) for fixing said second magnets (6) to a second part (7) of the shoe (2) or in an area adjacent to the shoe (2), at least one first magnet (3) being displaceable in relation to at least one second magnet (6), wherein the first magnets (3) and the second magnets (6) are arranged according to a Halbach array.
 14. The element according to claim 13, wherein one first magnet (3) and one second magnet (6) are aligned along an axis (9), said axis extending essentially parallel to a load axis (10) of a partial load (16, 16′).
 15. The element according to claim 13, wherein surfaces of the first magnets (3) and surfaces of the second magnets (6) are polygonal and congruent.
 16. The element according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the first magnets (3) and the first fixing element (4), and the second magnets and the second fixing element (8), are detachably attached to the shoe (2).
 17. The element according to claim 13, wherein the first magnets (3) are arranged in a first area (11) of a sole of the shoe (2) and the second magnets (6) are arranged in a second area (12) of the sole.
 18. The element according to claim 13, wherein the first magnets (3) are arranged in a first area of a shaft of the shoe (2) and the second magnets (6) are arranged in a second area of the shaft.
 19. The element according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the first magnets (3) and the second magnets (6) comprise individual magnets of different field strengths.
 20. The element according to claim 13, wherein the first magnets (3) and the second magnets (6) comprise individual magnets of the same polarity.
 21. The element according to claim 13, wherein the first magnets (3) and the second magnets (6) comprise individual magnets of different polarities, one individual magnet of the first magnets (3) and one individual magnet of the second magnets (6), having different polarities being arranged opposite each other.
 22. The element according to claim 13, wherein the first fixing element (4) and the second fixing element (8) are displaceable in relation to one another along a polygonal line of movement.
 23. The element according to claim 13, wherein the first fixing element (4) and the second fixing element (8) are pivotable in relation to one another around a point or an axis.
 24. The element according to claim 13, wherein the element (1) of the invention is coupled to further resilient and shock absorbing elements (15). 